TEAM NEEDS

Offensive line

The Cowboys need a new right tackle because of the health issues surrounding Marc Colombo. While it seems Colombo is well-liked in the locker room and the front office, it's clear his production in the last two seasons has declined. The team owes him a $2.6 million option bonus and it appears they won't give it to him. USC's Tyron Smith has been projected in mock drafts to go to No. 9 and if that happens he can move right into the starting role. This is also a pretty heavy draft for tackles and if the Cowboys don't get one in the first round, with a high second-round pick, they could snag one there.

Safety

The play of Gerald Sensabaugh and Alan Ball was subpar last season. The Cowboys expressed interest in Sensabaugh returning, but want to see what he commands in the open market as a free agent. Ball struggled early at reacting to the ball and while he's returning to the team it appears the Cowboys will make him a backup. This year's safety class isn't great, yet the Cowboys might grab a good one in the second or third rounds. UCLA's Rahim Moore is a possibility. What the Cowboys need is someone who can make plays on the ball and become a physical force, something they haven't had since Darren Woodson and Roy Williams roamed the secondary.

Defensive end

Under new defensive coordinator Rob Ryan, the Cowboys will ask their linemen to play a two-gap scheme. That means they need players who are good with their hands and feet. Putting pressure on the quarterback is a priority, but if they can get an end who can stuff the run and take some attention away from nose tackle Jay Ratliff that would be a bonus. The Cowboys are not moving Ratliff to end, and plan on bringing back Stephen Bowen and Jason Hatcher, but they might be short-term solutions.